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Agriland
7 days ago
- Business
- Agriland
Tullamore Show launches schedule of classes for 2025
Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Martin Heydon has officially launched the 2025 Tullamore Show and the FBD National Livestock Show. The minister attended the annual sponsors evening which took place recently on the banks of the Grand Canal at the Old Warehouse in Tullamore. The 2025 Tullamore Show will take place at the Butterfield Estate, Blueball, Co. Offaly on Sunday, August 10. Tullamore Show The MC on the night was once again, Derek Nevin who along with his wife, Michelle Leaper Nevin, are co-ordinators of the canine section at the show. Derek first introduced the new chairperson of Tullamore Show, John Keena who thanked all the sponsors. 'No matter how small or large the sponsorship is, it's what helps us keep the show running,' he said. John also thanked the Minister Heydon for his presence and acknowledged his role in the farm safety live demostrations over the years. (L-R) Mary Dunphy FBD, Pat Gilligan FBD, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Martin Heydon, Emer O'Byrne FBD and Amanda Brennan FBD He also acknowledged title sponsors FBD, the landowners of the Butterfield Estate Anne Marie Butterfield and Stephen Mc Quade, along with the landowners who provided the car parks and access areas to the site. The chairperson concluded his speech with a list of new attractions to the show. One of the many new additions will be a display cow, which was sponsored by Cormac Tagging. In collaboration with Offaly County Council and the ESB, Tullamore Show will have the Sustainable Livestock Village powered by hydrogen, which will be a first of its kind at an agricultural show. Goats, Valais Blacknose Sheep and Fleckvieh cattle are also some new additions to the show, along with a VEX Robotics class in the inventions section. Livestock Pat Gilligan, FBD head of sales in the midlands and western region, said that the company is proud to the title sponsor of the Tullamore Show. 'It is the highlight of the FBD's busy summer calendar and one we look forward to each year. 'Tullamore Show and FBD National Livestock Show is a wonderful reflection of all that is positive within Ireland's livestock and farming sector. 'FBD are proud to be involved in the Sustainable Livestock Village with the ever popular FBD speakers corner again this year,' he said. During his speech, Minister Martin Heydon reminisced on the interaction he has had over the years with Tullamore Show. Heydon noted that agricultural shows such as Tullamore Show play a vital part in exhibiting farming and all that goes with it, it is a way to synchronise rural – urban communities. The speeches concluded with chair John Keena and show secretary Chelsey Cox McDonald making a presentation to Minister Martin Heydon.
Agriland
23-05-2025
- Business
- Agriland
FBD Insurance supports food businesses with advertising fund
FBD Insurance has launched an Advertising Support Campaign worth €275,000 for 11 Irish small and medium-sized businesses, including food and drinks businesses, nationwide. The campaign, now in its second year, includes 11 SMEs spanning a variety of sectors including food, hospitality and retail from across the country. Each business will receive an advertising package valued at approximately €25,000. Each business taking part is an FBD customer and is benefitting from an advertising package placing them in a prime 'Out of Home' billboard location to ensure they can reach the largest possible audience. The advertising bundle also includes radio, print, video and digital advertising. Benoit Lorge of Lorge Chocolatier The 2025 participating SMEs supported by FBD Insurance include: Grand Barbers, Dublin; Table 45, Dublin; Farmfield Spa Escapes, Meath; Cavan Country Produce , Cavan ; , ; Connolly's Pub, Mayo; The Old Bank B&B Guesthouse, Limerick; Dingle Crystal, Kerry; Lorge Chocolatier, Kerry ; ; RDE Electrical Engineering, Tipperary; Rivescei, Tipperary; Ballykeefe Distillery, Kilkenny. Speaking about the campaign, head of marketing at FBD Insurance, Sharon Treanor said: 'At FBD Insurance, supporting our customers and local communities across all 34 of our branches is central to everything we do. 'SMEs are the backbone of Ireland's economy and society, and we are proud to continue highlighting the vital role they play. 'This advertising support campaign is about giving these businesses the visibility they deserve, helping them share their stories and reach more customers during what continues to be a challenging time for many small enterprises. 'Through this initiative, we aim to celebrate and raise awareness of the businesses, what they do and the value they bring to their local communities.'
Irish Times
17-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Times
FBD expected to pay special dividend to bring recent payments to €234m
FBD , the Republic's only indigenous general insurer, is likely to pay an almost €19 million special dividend later this year as it continues to distribute excess capital on its balance sheet, according to Davy. That would bring total payments since early 2022, between ordinary and special dividends, to almost €234 million – the equivalent of 44 per cent of the group's current market value. Davy analyst Diarmaid Sheridan estimates that FBD had a solvency capital ratio, a measure of reserves to ensure it can withstand a shock loss, equating to 200 per cent of its regulatory requirement at the end of March. 'This is materially above FBD's risk appetite of 150-170 per cent and incorporates the €30 million of adverse weather claims in January,' Mr Sheridan said, referring to claims mainly stemming from Storm Éowyn. READ MORE 'At 200 per cent, FBD has capital to support growth in gross written premiums and to continue to pay attractive dividends.' The analyst estimates that FBD will follow up its planned €1-a-share ordinary dividend payout next month on last year's profits – totalling almost €36 million – with a 50 cent special dividend later in the year. Still, the expected special reward for shareholders is half the level of special dividends distributed in the second half of each of the last two years. The combination of the planned ordinary and expected special dividends this year equates to 11.5 per cent of FBD's current €13 share price – a dividend yield that is more than double that on offer from some other European insurers, such as Allianz and Zurich Insurance Group. Still, shares in the company have advanced less than 3 per cent so far this year and remain flat over a 52-week period. FBD is not alone on the large dividends front in the sector. Allianz Ireland has paid €300 million to its German parent since the Covid-19 pandemic. Axa Ireland has handed €270 million to its Paris-based owner over the same period, though it decided to hold off making a payment on last year's earnings as it builds capacity to underwrite health insurance for its Laya Healthcare brand this year. FBD had come out ahead of scheduled annual results on a number of occasions in recent years to say that its earnings would be better than the market had been expecting, often boosted by releasing reserves that had been set aside for claims that proved to be too pessimistic. Its €77 million pretax profit for 2024 was almost 40 per cent above what the market had been expecting, before it moved in February to guide analysts' expectations higher. The chief executive of FBD Insurance, Tomás Ó Midheach, said last week in a trading update on the day of its annual general meeting (agm) that 'progress is being made' in settling claims related to Storm Éowyn. Insurance Ireland estimates that the industry-wide claims from the cyclone will amount to about €300 million. He said that FBD's profitability, excluding the impact of the storm, has been 'solid' so far this year and 'in line with expectations'. 'FBD remains a strongly capitalised business with a solvency capital ratio in excess of our stated risk appetite ,' he said . ' Our intention is to move closer to target capital levels over time, while preserving the sustainability of our annual ordinary dividend and maintaining a robust capital position for our growing business.'
Irish Examiner
16-05-2025
- General
- Irish Examiner
'Dairying at Dusk': An evening walk through an award-winning farm
An evening of learning, nature, and fun on the family farm that won the 2024 Teagasc/FBD Environmental Sustainability Award will take place next month. Visitors will meet John, Maria and Brendan Walsh, the family who are leading the way in running a sustainable dairy farm. A national farm walk on the farm has been organised by Teagasc, FBD and Dairygold. 'Dairying at Dusk' will take place on Tuesday, June 10, at 6:30pm at their family farm at Ballylooby, Co Tipperary. This event will be of interest to the general public, non-farming families, as well as farming families. The Walsh's win in the competition was based on four key sustainability pillars. The Walshs are running a highly efficient and profitable dairy operation. They have adopted smarter ways to grow grass without compromising on grass yield to feed the cows. Biodiversity is a long-standing priority on the Walsh farm, dating back generations. Hedges are managed to promote growth and diversity, with whitethorns allowed to flourish every 50m. The risk to water quality has been significantly reduced by lowering the surplus nitrogen on the farm, with their surplus nitrogen being almost half the national average. Speaking in advance of the walk, Brendan and John Walsh said: 'We are looking forward to welcoming the general public to our farm and showing what we and other farmers across the country are doing to improve environmental sustainability. Our message to other farmers is: start small, seek good advice, and don't fear failure.' Dr Siobhan Kavanagh, Teagasc Signpost programme and chair of the judging panel, highlighted the Walshs' success story is not just about awards, but about building a resilient and environmentally responsible future for Irish farming. John and Brendan are passionate about making a good living from farming but also looking after the environment. Visitors will hear inspiring stories of how the Walshs are looking after nature on their farm while continuing to produce high-quality food profitably. There will also be fun games and activities for children. Read More Rise in low-emission slurry spreading puts Ireland on track for ammonia target
Agriland
13-05-2025
- General
- Agriland
‘Dairying at Dusk' evening walk to be held on award-winning farm
A 'Dairying at Dusk' evening farm walk is due to take place next month on a family dairy farm that won the 2024 Teagasc/FBD Environmental Sustainability Award. John, Maria and Brendan Walsh, the family who are leading the way in running a sustainable dairy farm and will host the farm walk on Tuesday, June 10 at 6:30pm. The walk has been organised by Teagasc, FBD and Dairygold, and all are welcome to attend. 'Dairying at Dusk', will take place at their family farm at Ballylooby, County Tipperary. This event will be of interest to the general public, non-farming families as well as farming families. Award-winning farm The Walsh's win in the competition was based on four key sustainability pillars. The Walsh's are running a highly efficient and profitable dairy operation. They have adopted smarter ways to grow grass without compromising on grass yield to feed the cows. Biodiversity is a long-standing priority on the Walsh farm, dating back generations. Hedges are managed to promote growth and diversity, with whitethorns allowed to flourish every 50 metres. Pictured at the launch of a Teagasc 'Dairying at Dusk' farm walk on the award winning farm of John and Brendan Walsh, Ballylooby, Cahir, Co Tipperary on 10th June are Dr Tom O'Dwyer, Head of Teagasc Signpost Programme, Nora O'Donovan, Teagasc/Dairygold Demonstration Farm Coordinator, hosts Brendan and John Walsh, Maureen O'Meara, FBD and Donal Mullane, Teagasc Tipperary Regional Manager. Photo O'Gorman Photography. The risk to water quality has been significantly reduced by reducing the surplus nitrogen on the farm with their surplus nitrogen being almost half the national average. Speaking in advance of the walk, Brendan and John Walsh said; 'We are looking forward to welcoming the general public to their farm and showing what we and other farmers across the country are doing to improve environmental sustainability.' 'Our message to other farmers is: start small, seek good advice, and don't fear failure.' Dairying at Dusk Teagasc Signpost programme and chair of the judging panel, Dr Siobhan Kavanagh, highlighted that the Walsh's success story is not just about awards, but about building a resilient and environmentally responsible future for Irish farming. 'John and Brendan are passionate about making a good living from farming but also looking after the environment. Their story shows that you can farm profitable while also looking after nature.' Hear the inspiring stories of how the Walshs are looking after nature on their farm while continuing to produce high quality food profitably. There will be fun games and activities for kids – sustainability corner, Agrikids farm safety workshops. 'Dairying at Dusk' promises to be a family-friendly evening in the great outdoors and everyone is welcome to attend to experience the farm system and enjoy the evening out.
